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BikeRadar verdict

The Wahoo Kickr power trainer is an excellent trainer for riders who want to tightly control power-based workouts or who are looking for real-time interaction with virtual software like Zwift.

After riding the original Kickr for two years, I have been testing the new Kickr this winter and sharing notes with my colleague Guy Kesteven. The new Kickr is just as sturdy as before, connects quickly via ANT+ or Bluetooth to smartphones, computers and bike computers, and the updates like a more ergonomic grip, a more convenient plug-in location and 11-speed compatibility are welcome changes. Wahoo says the new unit is quieter, but I can't tell a difference. My little iPhone decibel meter pegs it at about 70dB when riding steady at 200w.

With Bluetooth and ANT+, the Kickr pairs easily with smartphones, newer iPads and laptops, and cycling computers

You control the power - or let a third-party app do it

The Wahoo Kickr has a built-in power meter that allows you to not only accurately measure your efforts, but also control them. There are a few ways to do this.

The simplest way to control the Kickr is with Wahoo's app. With that, you can set the exact level of resistance in watts, and then pedal at whatever cadence and in whatever gear you like. Change gears or change cadence? No problem, the Kickr will adjust.

The better way to control the Kickr is with a program like Zwift or TrainerRoad, which control the resistance in real-time to follow along with either a specific workout or a video course. As with the app, you can change your gears and your cadence, and the resistance will adjust to keep the prescribed power right on target.

Zwift is great partner for the Wahoo Kickr. You can ride in virtual courses, with either the elevation changes or specific workouts driving the Kickr's resistance

In this regard it is similar to CompuTrainer, but with two significant differences. One, Kickr is much cheaper. And two, Kickr's open platform means you can plug it into any software, provided you have the compatible hardware.

We tested the Kickr's wattage readings against power meters from SRM and Stages and found the data to be within four percent between the three.

On the plus side, the Kickr can be controlled by a variety of external sources — iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC and Android. On the negative side, the Kickr requires an external device to control it. That, combined with the fact that it requires an electrical power source, puts it on the opposite end of the spectrum from a standard resistance trainer that you can set up anywhere, and just hop on and go.

I've used the Kickr on both Bluetooth and ANT+. Both are solid, connection-wise. Readouts are near immediate, and changes to resistance take between less than a second and about three seconds, depending on the size of the change and the specifics of the software driving the Kickr.

This is a screenshot from TrainerRoad, which controls the resistance on the Kickr for highly specific workouts. TrainerRoad has a deep menu of workouts

One frustrating thing about the Kickr and smart trainers in general is how they react if you stop pedaling for a few seconds during a controlled workout. When you resume pedaling, the resistance feels like ten times what it should be until you can get on top of the gear. Some programs have ways to overcome this: Zwift disables the erg mode when your actual power falls off the target power for a number of seconds, and TrainerRoad lets you toggle down the target power with a keystroke.

The direct-drive style works well. Subtracting the rear wheel and tire from the equation eliminates both wear on those parts and the variability in power measurement that they can cause (if measuring/applying power at the tire). The trainer is very sturdy, with adjustable-height feet locking into place, and a quick-release hub mount providing a familiar interface. Even when out of the saddle, the trainer simply doesn't move.

The sound is relatively subdued, but still plenty loud to annoy people in close proximity, especially at higher cadences. The Tacx Neo is a little quieter, but other smart trainers are about as loud.

The new Kickr gets a better handle — which is good, because it's heavy!

Compatibility and portability

In terms of hardware, the Kickr adjusts quickly to preset heights for road, 650c and 29in bikes, and the hub spacing can flip between 130 and 135mm for road and mountain spacing. No front wheel block is needed as the rear hub height matches that of the selected wheel.

On the plus side, the sturdy arms fold in nicely for relatively compact storage, and the solid handle is useful. On the negative side, the thing weighs a ton. Okay, perhaps not a ton, but 44lb (20kg). You are not bringing this thing to a race to warm up on; you are using it for riding Zwift or doing specific power-based training indoors.

The feet adjust for height and then lock in place. The trainer is very sturdy and does not wobble

Bottom line

The Kickr is an excellent if expensive tool. The lab-like ability to dial in exact wattage resistance is a huge training asset. And when paired with structured workout software like something from TrainerRoad, it brings indoor solo training to a new level. When used with Zwift, indoor riding can actually be engaging. Wahoo also makes the Kickr Snap, a less-expensive smart trainer that uses the more traditional rear-wheel-on trainer configuration.

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Ben has been writing about bikes since 2000, covering everything from the Tour de France to Asian manufacturing to kids' bikes. The former editor-in-chief of VeloNews, he began racing in college while getting a journalism degree at the University of New Mexico. Based in the cycling-crazed city of Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two kids, Ben enjoys riding most every day.